Pin-drop hitch mount assembly with biased pin retainer mechanism

ABSTRACT

A hitch mount assembly includes a drawbar receiver configured to receive a drawbar and a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pin receiver and a latch that is supported for movement between a first position and a second position. The latch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retain the pin in a retracted position. The latch, in the second position, is configured to disengage and release the pin for movement of the pin from the retracted position to an extended position. Moreover, the assembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/452,505, filed on Jan. 31, 2017. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a hitch mount assembly for towing purposesand, more specifically, relates to a hitch mount assembly with a biasedpin retainer mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some work vehicles may be configured for towing another work vehicle. Atowing vehicle may removably connect (i.e., hitch) to a towed vehiclevia a hitch mount assembly. As such, the towing vehicle may propel anddirect the towed vehicle through a work site. An implement supported onthe towed vehicle may also be used during the towing operation.Additionally, in some embodiments, the towing vehicle may be configuredto supply mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or other power to the towedvehicle for operating the implement.

Generally, one of the vehicles may include a drawbar with a first pinhole, and the other vehicle may include a drawbar receiver with a secondpin hole. To hitch the vehicles, the drawbar may be inserted into thedrawbar receiver, and a pin may be inserted through both the first andsecond pin holes. To unhitch the vehicles, the pin may be removed fromthe first and second pin holes, and the drawbar may be removed from thedrawbar receiver.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure provides a hitch mount assembly for hitching a towedvehicle and a towing vehicle together, wherein the assembly facilitateshitching and/or unhitching of the vehicles.

In one aspect, the disclosure provides a pin-drop hitch mount assemblythat includes a drawbar receiver that defines a drawbar cavity thatextends along an axis. The drawbar cavity is configured to receive adrawbar that advances generally along the axis. The assembly alsoincludes a pin receiver that is supported by the drawbar receiver. Thepin receiver defines a pin opening that is open to the drawbar cavity.Furthermore, the assembly includes a pin that is received within the pinopening of the pin receiver. The pin is configured for movement betweena retracted position and an extended position. The pin is configured toattach the drawbar to the drawbar receiver when in the extendedposition, and the drawbar receiver is configured to be detached from thedrawbar when the pin is in the retracted position. Furthermore, theassembly includes a latch that is supported for movement between a firstposition and a second position relative to the drawbar receiver. Thelatch, in the first position, is configured to engage the pin and retainthe pin in the retracted position. The latch, in the second position, isconfigured to disengage the pin and release the pin for movement of thepin from the retracted position to the extended position. Moreover, theassembly includes a biasing member configured to bias the latch towardthe first position to retain the pin in the retracted position.

In another aspect, a method of operating a pin-drop hitch mount assemblyis disclosed. The method includes retaining a pin of the hitch mountassembly in a retracted position with a latch. The pin is retained in apin receiver that is supported by a drawbar receiver. The method alsoincludes biasing the latch toward the first position with a biasingmember to retain the pin in the retracted position. Moreover, the methodincludes advancing a drawbar along a longitudinal axis of a drawbarcavity of the drawbar receiver. Furthermore, the method includes movingthe latch from a first position to a second position as a consequence ofadvancing the drawbar. The latch, in the first position, retains the pinin the pin receiver. The latch, in the second position, releases the pinfor movement toward an extended position to attach the drawbar to thedrawbar receiver.

In a further aspect, a pin-drop hitch mount assembly is disclosed. Theassembly includes a drawbar receiver that is hollow and tubular. Thedrawbar receiver defines a drawbar cavity that extends linearly along anaxis. The drawbar cavity is configured to receive a drawbar thatadvances generally along the axis. The assembly also includes a pinreceiver tube that is fixed to the drawbar receiver. The pin receiverdefines a pin opening that is open to the drawbar cavity. Furthermore,the assembly includes a slot that is defined in the drawbar receiver andthe pin receiver tube. Also, the assembly includes a pin that isreceived within the pin opening of the pin receiver. The pin isconfigured for movement between a retracted position and an extendedposition. The pin is configured to attach the drawbar to the drawbarreceiver when in the extended position, and the drawbar receiver isconfigured to be detached from the drawbar when the pin is in theretracted position. The pin includes an aperture. Additionally, theassembly includes a latch that is supported for rotational movementbetween a first position and a second position relative to the drawbarreceiver. The latch includes a first projection and a second projectionthat project radially from an axis of rotation of the latch and that arereceived in the slot. The first projection, in the first position, isreceived in the aperture to engage and retain the pin in the retractedposition. The first projection, in the second position, is disposedoutside the aperture to disengage and release the pin for movement ofthe pin from the retracted position to the extended position. Moreover,the assembly includes an actuator member disposed within the drawbarreceiver and supported for linear movement along the axis between aneutral position and a displaced position. The actuator member isconfigured to be actuated from the neutral position to the displacedposition by the drawbar that advances generally along the axis of thedrawbar cavity. The actuator member includes an edge configured toengage the second projection of the latch to thereby move the latch fromthe first position to the second position. In addition, the assemblyincludes a first biasing member configured to bias the latch toward thefirst position and a second biasing member configured to bias theactuator member toward the neutral position.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbecome apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of example work vehicles, including a towingvehicle and a towed vehicle, which may be hitched together and unhitchedfrom each other using a hitch mount assembly of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of thehitch mount assembly of the present disclosure, which is configured forhitching and unhitching the work vehicles of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a rear perspective view of the hitch mount assembly of FIG.1B;

FIG. 2 is a front end view of the hitch mount assembly of FIGS. 1B and1C;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the hitch mount assembly taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the hitch mount assembly taken along theline 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an actuator member of the hitch mountassembly of FIGS. 1B and 1C;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a pin of the hitch mount assembly ofFIGS. 1B and 1C;

FIG. 7 is a front end view of the hitch mount assembly with a drawbaralignment member according to an additional embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a section view of the hitch mount assembly taken along theline 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A-9C are section views of the hitch mount assembly of FIGS. 1Band 1C during a successful hitching operation, wherein FIG. 9A shows adrawbar being inserted into the hitch mount assembly, FIG. 9B shows thedrawbar actuating elements of the hitch mount assembly, and FIG. 9Cshows automatic movement of the pin for hitching the drawbar to thehitch mount assembly;

FIG. 10A-10C are section views of the hitch mount assembly of FIGS. 1Band 1C during a hitching attempt with pin holes misaligned, wherein FIG.10A shows the drawbar being inserted into the hitch mount assembly, FIG.10B shows the drawbar pin hole misaligned with the pin hole of the hitchmount assembly, and FIG. 100 shows the drawbar withdrawing causing thehitch mount assembly to bias the pin upward toward its retractedposition where it is ready for another hitching attempt; and

FIG. 11A-11C are section views of the hitch mount assembly during anunhitching operation, wherein FIG. 11A shows the pin being removed, FIG.11B shows the pin being replaced and supported by the hitch mountassembly, and FIG. 11C shows the drawbar withdrawn and the hitch mountassembly biasing the pin upward toward its retracted position where itis ready for another hitching attempt.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes one or more example embodiments of a hitch mountassembly for work vehicles, as shown in the accompanying figures of thedrawings described briefly above. Various modifications to the exampleembodiments may be contemplated by one of skill in the art.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists withelements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., “and”) and thatare also preceded by the phrase “one or more of” or “at least one of”indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially includeindividual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. Forexample, “at least one of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, and C”indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or anycombination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A andC; or A, B, and C).

Furthermore, in detailing the disclosure, terms of direction, such as“forward,” “rear,” “front,” “back,” “lateral,” “horizontal,” and“vertical” may be used. Such terms are defined, at least in part, withrespect to the direction in which the work vehicle or implement travelsduring use. The term “forward” and the abbreviated term “fore” (and anyderivatives and variations) refer to a direction corresponding to thedirection of travel of the work vehicle, while the term “aft” (andderivatives and variations) refer to an opposing direction. The term“fore-aft axis” may also reference an axis extending in fore and aftdirections. By comparison, the term “lateral axis” may refer to an axisthat is perpendicular to the fore-aft axis and extends in a horizontalplane; that is, a plane containing both the fore-aft and lateral axes.The term “vertical,” as appearing herein, refers to an axis or adirection orthogonal to the horizontal plane containing the fore-aft andlateral axes.

The following describes one or more example implementations of thedisclosed pin-drop hitch mount assembly as shown in the accompanyingfigures. The disclosed pin-drop hitch mount assembly, its method ofmanufacture and assembly, and its method of operation provide a numberof benefits as compared to conventional hitch mount assemblies.

In some embodiments, the hitch mount assembly may include variousfeatures that facilitate hitching a towed vehicle and a towing vehicletogether. The hitch mount assembly may also include features thatfacilitate unhitching the towed vehicle from the towing vehicle.

More specifically, a pin may be employed for removably attaching (i.e.,hitching) the hitch mount assembly of one vehicle to a drawbar of theother vehicle. Generally, the hitch mount assembly may allow the pin toautomatically move between a retracted (unhitched) position and anextended (hitched) position.

During a hitching operation, the drawbar may be inserted in a firstdirection into the hitch mount assembly. If the respective pin holes ofthe drawbar and hitch mount assembly align, the hitch mount assemblycauses the pin to automatically drop from its retracted (unhitched)position to its extended (hitched) position.

If, however, the pin holes remain misaligned during the hitchingattempt, the drawbar may be removed by moving one vehicle away from theother. The drawbar may move in a second direction out of the hitch mountassembly. As a result, the hitch mount assembly may automatically move(i.e., bias and return) the pin back to its retracted position, where itwill be ready for another hitching attempt. As such, the hitch mountassembly may allow for multiple attempts at hitching to the drawbarwithout the user having to reset the pin. Accordingly, in someembodiments, the user may remain in the operator cabin of the drivenwork vehicle during the multiple hitching attempts instead of having toreturn to the hitch mount assembly to reset the pin.

Moreover, when unhitching the work vehicles, the pin may be removed fromthe hitch mount assembly while the drawbar remains stationary. Then, thepin may be replaced and securely set in a temporary position on thehitch mount assembly. Next, the drawbar may be removed by moving onevehicle away from the other. As a result, the hitch mount assembly mayautomatically move (i.e., bias) the pin back to its retracted position,where it will be ready for the next hitching attempt. Thus, once the pinis removed and replaced, the user may simply remain in the operatorcabin of the driven work vehicle, and the pin will automatically move toits retracted position.

FIG. 1A illustrates a plurality of work vehicles arranged in a workvehicle train. For example, the work vehicle train may include a towingvehicle 20 and a towed vehicle 22. The towing vehicle 20 and the towedvehicle 22 may be attached via a hitch mount assembly 100. One vehiclemay include the hitch mount assembly 100, and the hitch mount assembly100 may removably attach to a drawbar 101 of the other vehicle as willbe discussed.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the towed vehicle 22 includes the hitchmount assembly 100, and the towing vehicle 20 includes the drawbar 101.However, it will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, the towingvehicle 20 may include the hitch mount assembly 100 and the towedvehicle 22 may include the drawbar 101.

The towing vehicle 20 and towed vehicle 22 may be of any suitable type.For example, the towing vehicle 20 may be a tractor or other towing workvehicle. The towing vehicle 20 may include an operator cabin 26 withvarious user controls (e.g., steering wheel, control panels, pedals, andthe like) for controlling the towing vehicle 20. Also, the towed vehicle22 may include an implement 25 configured for agricultural, forestry,construction, or other work. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, for example,the towed vehicle 22 is a mower/conditioner, and the implement 25includes a plurality of mower blades for cutting grass, hay, or otheragricultural product. However, the towed vehicle 22 and/or implement 25could be of another type without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. For example, the implement 25 may be a sprayer implement, aseeding implement, etc., and the towed vehicle 22 may support movementof that implement 25.

In some embodiments, the implement 25 may include a driveline thattransfers power from a power-take-off (PTO) drive assembly of the towingvehicle 20 to a powered element of the implement 25. The PTO drivelineof the implement 25 connects the PTO shaft of the towing vehicle 20 anda component mounted to the frame of the towed vehicle 22 (typically agearbox assembly mounted on the towed vehicle 22). It will beappreciated that the vehicles 20, 22 may need to turn relative to eachother during towing. Achieving these turns may require significantangular deviations between the towing vehicle 20 and the towed vehicle22, which can cause similar angular deviations, for example, of the PTOdriveline. Angular deviations in a PTO driveline can cause variousdifficulties. Thus, the hitch mount assembly 100 may also be employedwith a known swivel gearbox or and/or other similar components thatallow relative turning action. The swivel gearbox assembly may allowcomponents to rotate about a vertical axis 24 to thereby allow turningof the vehicles 20, 22. This arrangement may be different from otherhitch arrangements wherein the relative turning occurs about a hitchpin. This swivel gearbox hitch system allows the PTO driveline to remainapproximately straight, as the angular deviation between the towingvehicle 20 and the towed vehicle 22 occurs at a vertical axis of theswivel gearbox.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the hitch mount assembly 100 may include a drawbarreceiver member 102 configured to receive the drawbar 101. The hitchmount assembly 100 may also include a pin 142. The pin 142 may extendthrough the drawbar receiver member 102 and a pin hole 103 within thedrawbar 101 to thereby connect the drawbar 101 to the hitch mountassembly 100 (i.e., to hitch the towing vehicle 20 and the towed vehicle22 together). Also, the pin 142 may be selectively removed from the pinhole 103 of the drawbar 101 to thereby disconnect the drawbar 101 andthe hitch mount assembly 100 (i.e., to unhitch the towing vehicle 20 andthe towed vehicle 22).

The embodiment of the hitch mount assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 1A-4 willnow be discussed. It will be appreciated that the hitch mount assembly100 may vary from this embodiment without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

As mentioned above, the hitch mount assembly 100 may include the drawbarreceiver member 102. The drawbar receiver member 102 may be tubular,box-like, and hollow. The drawbar receiver member 102 may be constructedfrom high-strength, stiff, and robust material. The drawbar receivermember 102 may include a plurality of walls, for example, a first sidewall 108, a second side wall 110, a top wall 112, and a bottom wall 114.The walls 108, 110, 112, 114 may cooperate to define a drawbar cavity104 that extends along an axis 106 (i.e., the travel direction of thedrawbar 101 when inserting and withdrawing the drawbar 101). The axis106 may be substantially straight and linear in some embodiments. Thedrawbar receiver member 102 may also include a front opening 116 (FIGS.1B and 3). The front opening 116 may be configured to provide access inand out of the drawbar cavity 104, and the drawbar cavity 104 may beconfigured to receive the drawbar 101. Furthermore, the drawbar receivermember 102 may include a back end support 118 (FIG. 1C). The back endsupport 118 may extend between the first and second side walls 108, 110on an end that is opposite the front opening 116.

The drawbar receiver member 102 may additionally include a pin receivertube 120. The pin receiver tube 120 may be rounded and may be fixed tothe top wall 112. The pin receiver tube 120 may project from the topwall 112, substantially perpendicular to the axis 106 of the cavity 104(and substantially parallel to the vertical axis 24 included in FIG. 1A.The pin receiver tube 120 may be hollow to define a pin opening 119(i.e., a pin passage) therein. As shown in FIG. 3, the pin opening 119may extend through the top wall 112 and may be open to the cavity 104.The hitch mount assembly 100 may additionally include a pin opening 121formed through the bottom wall 114 as well (FIG. 3). The pin opening 121(i.e., the lower pin opening) may be substantially aligned with the pinopening 119 (i.e., the upper pin opening). As will be discussed, whenattaching the drawbar 101, the pin hole 103 in the drawbar 101 may bealigned with the pin openings 119, 121. Then, the pin 142 may bereceived within the pin opening 119, the pin hole 103 in the drawbar101, and the pin opening 121 to attach the drawbar 101 to the hitchmount assembly 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1C and 3, the pin receiver tube 120 and the top wall112 of the drawbar receiver member 102 may cooperate to define a slot123. In some embodiments, part of the slot 123 may extend vertically andthrough the rear side of the pin receiver tube 120, and another part ofthe slot 123 may extend horizontally and through the top wall 112.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the front opening 116 may be a flared front opening116. In some embodiments, the side walls 108, 110, the top wall 112, andthe bottom wall 114 may cooperate to define the flared front opening116. More specifically, the side walls 108, 110, the top wall 112,and/or the bottom wall 114 may include respective flared projections 122that project forward and at an angle away from the axis 106.Accordingly, the front opening 116 may be flared away from the axis 106.At least one flared projection 122 may be fixed (e.g., welded, fastened,etc.) to a respective wall 108, 110, 112, 114. Also, at least one flaredprojection 122 may be integrally connected with the respective wall 108,110, 112, 114. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, one flared projection122 may be fixed to the forward portion of the top wall 112, and theother walls 108, 110, 114 may include integrally connected projections122. In other embodiments, the flared projections 122 may each beintegrally attached to the walls 108, 110, 112, 114 of the drawbarreceiver member 102. As will be discussed, the flared front opening 116may be configured to receive the drawbar 101. In some cases, the drawbar101 may be misaligned with the cavity 104 such that the drawbar 101abuts one of the flared projections 122. In this event, the angledsurface of the flared projection 122 may guide and direct the drawbar101 into the cavity 104 and help to align the axis of the drawbar 101with the axis 106 of the cavity 104.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the drawbar receiver member 102may include one or more viewing openings 124. Two or more of the viewingopenings 124 may be aligned. In the embodiment shown, there are a seriesof viewing openings 124 arranged in substantially aligned columns (alongthe axis 106) and substantially aligned rows (in the lateral direction)on the top wall 112. In another embodiment, there may be one viewingopening 124 that extends between the front opening 116 and the pinreceiver tube 120. In an additional embodiment, there may be two viewingopenings 124 that are arranged side-by-side on the top wall 112 and thatextend between the front opening 116 and the pin receiver tube 120.

The viewing openings 124 may include a plurality of elongate slots thatare arranged between the front opening 116 and the pin receiver tube120. Also, at least one viewing opening 124 may be disposed between theside wall 108 and the pin receiver tube 120 in the lateral direction,and at least one viewing opening 124 may be disposed between the sidewall 110 and the pin receiver tube 120 in the lateral direction. In someembodiments, the viewing openings 124 may be elongate with a major axisextending in the longitudinal direction (along the axis 106) and a minoraxis extending in the lateral direction (horizontally perpendicular tothe axis 106). In other words, each viewing opening 124 may have an openlength (major axis) measured along the axis 106 and an open width (minoraxis) measured in the lateral direction.

The viewing openings 124, together, may collectively define a “viewwindow” that allow a user to view the interior of the drawbar receivermember 102, for example, when hitching and/or unhitching the drawbar 101from the hitch mount assembly 100. This view window may have a totallength that is a total of the open lengths of the viewing openings 124.The view window may also have a total width that is a total of the openwidths of the viewing openings 124. The total length of the view windowmay be greater than the total width of the view window. This is evidentin the illustrated embodiment because the elongate, major axes of theviewing openings 124 are substantially aligned and parallel to the axis106. However, it will be appreciated that the viewing openings 124 maybe configured differently without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the elongate shape,orientation, and/or position of the viewing openings 124 on the top sideof the drawbar receiver member 102 may allow the user to convenientlysee into the cavity 104 while seated inside the operator cabin 26 duringthe hitching/unhitching operation.

The drawbar receiver member 102 may further include additional apertures(e.g., slots, holes, recesses, etc.). These apertures may be configuredto receive and/or support other elements of the hitch mount assembly100. These apertures will be discussed below in connection with thedescription of the other elements.

As mentioned above, the hitch mount assembly 100 may include the pin142. The pin 142 is shown in detail in FIG. 6. The pin 142 may include ashaft 144. The shaft 144 may be substantially cylindrical and may have astraight longitudinal axis. The pin 142 may also include a handle end146 configured to be grasped and manipulated by a user. The pin 142 mayfurther include an insertion end 148. The insertion end 148 may beinserted and received within the drawbar 101. The insertion end 148 maybe disposed opposite the handle end 146. In some embodiments, theinsertion end 148 may include a relatively flat, radial surface formedthereon. Additionally, the insertion end 148 may include a rear sideaperture 150. As will be discussed, the rear side aperture 150 may beconfigured to engage another element for retaining the pin 142 in one ormore positions. In some embodiments, the rear side aperture 150 may be arecess that extends inward in the radial direction and that extendslongitudinally from the flattened insertion end 148. The rear sideaperture 150 may include one or more tapered portions 152 and an axialportion 154. As shown in FIG. 6, there may be two tapered portions 152disposed symmetrically on opposite sides of the axial portion 154. Theaxial portion 154 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisof the pin 142. The tapered portions 152 may be tapered at an angle withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the pin 142.

The hitch mount assembly 100 may additionally include an actuator member130. The actuator member 130 may be configured and referred to as a“trigger member” in some embodiments of the present disclosure. Theactuator member 130 is shown attached in FIGS. 2-4 and is shown inisolation in FIG. 5. The actuator member 130 may be made from one ormore plates of high strength, stiff, and robust material. In someembodiments, the actuator member 130 may be made from bent steel plate.As shown in FIG. 5, the actuator member 130 may include a front abutmentplate 132, side supports 134, and a top engagement plate 136. The topengagement plate 136 may include a latch engagement aperture 138. Thelatch engagement aperture 138 may be a notch, cut-away, or other openingand may be partially defined by an edge 139. The latch engagementaperture 138 may be disposed centrally on the top engagement plate 136,opposite the front abutment plate 132.

One or more rods 140 (FIGS. 1B, 1C, 4) may be fixed to and may extendthrough the side supports 134 of the actuator member 130. The rods 140may be received within respective side slots 126 of the drawbar receivermember 102 to thereby moveably couple the actuator member 130 to thedrawbar receiver member 102. In some embodiments, the side slots 126 areelongate and substantially parallel to the axis 106 of the drawbarreceiver member 102. As such, the rod 140 and the attached actuatormember 130 may slide back and forth along the axis 106. The rods 140 mayabut and slide against the edge of the side slots 126 to thereby guidethe sliding movement of the actuator member 130 along the axis 106. Therods 140 may abut against the forward ends of the slots 126 to limitmovement of the actuator member 130 in the forward direction along theaxis 106.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hitch mount assembly 100 may furtherinclude one or more biasing members 141. The biasing members 141 may beof any suitable type, such as compression springs. One end of thebiasing member 141 may be fixed to the back end support 118 of thedrawbar receiver member 102, and an opposite end of the biasing member141 may be fixed to the backside of the front abutment plate 132 of theactuator member 130. As such, the biasing members 141 may apply abiasing force to the actuator member 130.

More specifically, as will be discussed in detail, the actuator member130 may be configured to move between a first, neutral position (shown,for example, in FIGS. 3 and 9A) and a second, displaced position (shown,for example, in FIG. 9C). When moving from the neutral position to thedisplaced position, the actuator member 130 may move against the biasingforce supplied by the biasing members 141. In the illustratedembodiment, therefore, the biasing members 141 bias the actuator member130 toward the neutral position and away from the displaced position.

Additionally, the hitch mount assembly 100 may include at least onealignment member 156 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the embodimentillustrated, there may be a pair of alignment members 156, wherein oneis supported by the first side wall 108 and the other is supported bythe second side wall 110. An example alignment member 156 may include anabutment plate 158. The abutment plate 158 may be bent to include anangled portion 160 that faces the front opening 116 and a mountingportion 162 that extends axially along the respective side wall 108,110. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting portion 162 may be forked and maybe attached via a fastener 166 to a mounting bracket 168. The mountingbracket 168 may be fixed to the respective side wall 108, 110 on theinterior of the cavity 104. The fastener 166 may pivotally couple theabutment plate 158 to the drawbar receiver member 102. Furthermore, asshown in FIGS. 1B and 4, the alignment members 156 may includerespective biasing members 161 for biasing the respective abutmentplates 158 inward, toward the axis 106, relative to the respective sidewall 108, 110. The biasing members 161 may be compression springs thatare supported by the respective side wall 108, 110. The abutment plates158 may be pushed and rotated outward and away from the axis 106,against the biasing force supplied by the biasing member 161. Also, insome embodiments, the side walls 108, 110 of the drawbar receiver member102 may include windows 129 (FIG. 4) that receive the angled portion 160of the abutment plate 158.

As shown in FIG. 4, the angled portion 160 of the abutment plate 158provides a surface that is disposed at an angle relative to the axis 106of the cavity 104. Also, the angled portions 160 of the abutment plates158 may be disposed on opposite sides of the front abutment plate 132 ofthe actuator member 130. Accordingly, when the drawbar 101 is insertedinto the cavity 104 and is misaligned with the axis 106, the drawbar 101may initially abut against the angled portion 160 of one of the abutmentplates 158. That abutment plate 158 may push against the respectivebiasing member 161 for applying a reaction force to the drawbar 101. Theopposite abutment plate 158 and biasing member 161 may apply less (orno) reaction force. As a result, the drawbar 101 and the drawbarreceiver member 102 may generally be pushed toward an aligned position.More specifically, as explained above, the forces applied to theopposing alignment members 156 may be different, and these imbalancedforces may transfer to the drawbar receiver member 102, causing thedrawbar receiver member 102 to move into alignment with the drawbar 101.Also, there may be slack between attached components, either in thehitch mount assembly 100, in components that are attached to the hitchmount assembly 100, and/or in components that are attached to thedrawbar 101. This slack may cause the above-described alignment as thedrawbar 101 abuts the alignment members 156. In some embodiments, thealignment member 156 may allow the hitch mount assembly 100 to rotaterelative to the drawbar 101 about the vertical axis 24 (i.e., the yawaxis) as shown in FIG. 1A.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an additional embodiment of the alignmentmember 156′ of the hitch mount assembly 100′. In the embodiment of FIGS.7 and 8, the alignment member 156′ includes an abutment plate 158′ witha mounting portion 162′ that is fixed to the front abutment plate 132′via fasteners 166′. The abutment plate 158′ may also include angledportions 160′ that extend away from opposite sides of the mountingportion 162′. The angled portions 160′ may provide a surface that isdisposed at an angle relative to the axis 106′ of the cavity 104′ (FIG.8). The alignment member 156′ may align the drawbar and the hitch mountassembly 100′ similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1B-6. Specifically, asthe drawbar 101 advances toward the alignment member 156′, the drawbar101 may apply more force to one of the abutment plates 158′. This maycreate a force imbalance between the abutment plates 158′, causing thehitch mount assembly 100′ and drawbar 101 to move toward alignment.

The following discussion of the hitch mount assembly will now refer backto the embodiment of FIGS. 1B-6. However, it will be appreciated thatthis discussion may apply also to the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the hitch mount assembly 100 may include apin retainer mechanism 172. The pin retainer mechanism 172 may generallyengage the pin 142 in one position, and the pin retainer mechanism 172may also disengage the pin 142 in another position. Also, the pinretainer mechanism 172 may be biased toward the first position, engagingthe pin 142. In some embodiments, the pin retainer mechanism 172 may beconfigured to automatically release the pin 142 for hitching the drawbarreceiver member 102 and the drawbar 101 together. The pin retainermechanism 172 may also be configured for automatically returning the pin142 to its first position, ready to hitch the towing vehicle 20 and thetowed vehicle 22 together.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pin retainer mechanism 172 may include a latch174. The latch 174 may be a unitary member made from a high strength andstiff material, such as steel. The latch 174 may also be relatively flatand thin. The latch 174 may include a rounded mount portion 180 and aplurality of projections that substantially extend radially away fromthe mount portion 180. These projections may be referred to as “fingers”of the latch 174. A first finger 176 extends substantially radially awayfrom the mount portion 180. In some embodiments, the first finger 176may extend substantially straight away from the mount portion 180 butmay include an upturned end 175. The latch 174 may also include a secondfinger 178 that extends substantially radially away from the mountportion 180. The second finger 178 may be shorter than the first finger176 in the radial direction. The second finger 178 may be spacedapproximately ninety degrees (90°) away from the first finger 176. Also,the second finger 178 may include a notch 177. The latch 174 may furtherinclude a third finger 179 that extend substantially radially away fromthe mount portion 180. The third finger 179 may be shorter than thesecond finger 178. Also, the third finger 179 may be substantiallyopposite the second finger 178 in the circumferential direction aboutthe mount portion 180. The mount portion 180 of the latch 174 may bemoveably mounted to the drawbar receiver member 102. For example, themount portion 180 may be rotatably attached to a mounting bracket 182via a pin 183 (FIGS. 1B and 1C).

As such, the latch 174 may rotate about the axis of the pin 183 betweena first position (FIG. 9A) and a second position (FIG. 9C). FIG. 9B mayrepresent an intermediate position of the latch 174, which is definedrotationally between the first position of FIG. 9A and the secondposition of FIG. 9C. In the first position (FIG. 9A), the upturned end175 of the first finger 176 may be received in the slot 123 of thedrawbar receiver member 102 and the rear side aperture 150 of the pin142 for supporting the pin 142 in a retracted position. In the secondposition (FIG. 9C), the first finger 176 may be disposed outside therear side aperture 150 of the pin 142, allowing the pin 142 to move toits extended position under the force of gravity. As shown in FIG. 9C,the upturned end 175 may remain substantially outside the cavity 104.For example, in the second position (FIG. 9C), the lower edge of theupturned end 175 may be substantially flush with the top wall 112 of thereceiver member 102.

Furthermore, the second finger 178 of the latch 174 may engage with theactuator member 130. For example, the edge 139 (FIG. 3) of the latchengagement aperture 138 of the actuator member 130 may be receivedwithin the notch 177 to abut against the second finger 178 as theactuator member 130 moves from its neutral position (FIG. 9A) to itsactuated position (FIG. 9C) as will be discussed in detail below. Thus,linear movement of the actuator member 130 may cause coincidentalrotation of the latch 174 about the axis of the pin 183.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C and 3, the pin retainer mechanism 172 mayfurther include a pin rest 184. The pin rest 184 may be a unitary membermade from a high strength and stiff material, such as steel. The pinrest 184 may also be bent, forged, or otherwise formed to haverelatively flat and thin plates that extend away from each other atvarious angles.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the pin rest 184 may include a main body186 with a mounting projection 188 on one side. The mounting projection188 may include a slot 189, and a fastener 187 may attach the pin rest184 to the third finger 179 of the latch 174. In some embodiments, thefastener 187 may moveably attach the pin rest 184 to the third finger179 of the latch 174. For example, the pin rest 184 may be supported forrotation relative to the latch 174 about the axis of the fastener 187.The pin rest 184 may also be supported for linear movement along themajor axis of the slot 189. According, in some embodiments, the pin rest184 may slide relative to the axis of rotation defined by the fastener187.

The pin rest 184 may also include a handle 190. In some embodiments, thehandle 190 may be a wing-shaped bar of material that extendstransversely from the main body 186. In some embodiments, the handle 190may have upturned ends 169. The pin rest 184 may further include afinger 191 (FIGS. 1B and 1C). The finger 191 may be a projection theprojects from a central area of the handle 190.

Accordingly, a user may grasp the handle 190 for manually moving the pinrest 184 between a first position shown in FIG. 3 and a second positionshown in FIG. 11A. In some embodiments, the pin rest 184 may be spacedapart from the pin 142 and the pin receiver tube 120 when in the firstposition (FIG. 3). In contrast, in the second position (FIG. 11A), thepin rest 184 may be rotated about the axis of the fastener 187 such thatthe finger 191 is received within the pin receiver tube 120 and is ableto support the pin 142. In some embodiments, when moving between itsdifferent positions (FIGS. 3 and 11A), the pin rest 184 may be flippedand rotated about the axis of the pin 183 and may also slide along theslot 189. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11B, a support structure, suchas the upturned ends 169 of the handle 190, may abut against the topwall 112 of the drawbar receiver member 102 for supporting the pin rest184 in the second position.

Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 1B, 1C, and 3, the pin retainer mechanism172 may include a biasing member 192. The biasing member 192 may be ofany suitable type. As shown in the illustrated example, the biasingmember 192 may be a torsion spring that is wound about the pin 183. Theends 196 of the biasing member 192 may be fixed and supported on theunderside of the mounting brackets 182. Also, an intermediate portion ofthe biasing member 192 may be substantially helically wound about thepin 183 except for a projected support 194 that projects radially fromand turns back toward the pin 183. As shown in FIG. 3, the projectedsupport 194 may be supported on the underside of the first finger 176(i.e., between the first finger 176 and the top wall 112 of the drawbarreceiver member 102).

As such, the biasing member 192 may bias the latch 174 in a singledirection (e.g., clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3) relative to the drawbarreceiver member 102. Accordingly, the biasing member 192 may bias thelatch 174 toward its first position represented in FIGS. 3 and 9A. Thisbiased movement of the latch 174 may be limited by an upper edge 199 ofthe pin tube slot 123 as shown in FIGS. 1B and 3. Thus, biasing forcefrom the biasing member 192 causes the latch 174 to biasingly supportthe pin 142 in its retracted position.

Operation of the hitch mount assembly 100 will now be discussed. Thefirst series of illustrations of FIGS. 9A-9C represents a firstoperation of the hitch mount assembly 100, the second series ofillustrations of FIGS. 10A-10C represents a second operation of thehitch mount assembly 100, and the third series of illustrations of FIGS.11A-11C represents a third operation of the hitch mount assembly 100. Itwill be appreciated that these are example embodiments. Otherembodiments may vary from these examples without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 9A-9C represents successful hitching of the hitch mount assembly100 and the drawbar 101. FIG. 9A shows the drawbar 101 and hitch mountassembly 100 unhitched from each other. The actuator member 130 is shownin its neutral position, the latch 174 is shown in its first position,and the pin rest 184 is shown in its first position. Thus, the firstfinger 176 of the latch 174 is received within the rear side aperture150 of the pin 142, and the first finger 176 is biased by the biasingmember 192 to retain the pin 142 in its retracted position. As shown,the pin 142 may be disposed completely outside the drawbar cavity 104when in the retracted position (FIG. 9A) in some embodiments.

The drawbar 101 is shown moving toward the actuator member 130 in FIG.9A. As shown in FIG. 9B, the drawbar 101 moves into the drawbar cavity104 and eventually abuts the actuator member 130 and pushes the actuatormember 130 toward the actuated (displaced) position against the biasingforce provided by the biasing members 141. As shown in FIG. 9B, the edge139 of the actuator member 130 may push the second finger 178 and, thus,rotate the latch 174 against the force of the biasing member 192 as theactuator member 130 moves toward the actuated (displaced) position.

As shown in FIG. 9C, the drawbar 101 has pushed the actuator member 130to its actuated position. As a result, the latch 174 is rotated to itssecond position with the second finger 178 retained against the topengagement plate 136 of the actuator member 130 and with the firstfinger 176 disengaged from the rear side aperture 150 of the pin 142.Accordingly, gravity causes the pin 142 to automatically drop downwithin the pin receiver tube 120. In FIG. 9C, the pin hole 103 in thedrawbar 101 is aligned with the upper pin opening 119 and the lower pinopening 121; therefore, the pin 142 moves to its extended position,received within the upper pin opening 119, the pin hole 103 of thedrawbar 101, and the lower pin opening 121.

FIGS. 10A-10C represent a hitching operation in which the pin hole 103of the drawbar 101 remains misaligned with the upper pin opening 119 ofthe hitch mount assembly 100. In this operation, the drawbar 101 isinserted within the cavity 104 (FIG. 10A), but the drawbar 101 ismisaligned during the operation (FIG. 10B). Specifically, the upper pinopening 119 and pin hole 103 are shown longitudinally misaligned in FIG.10B. It will also be appreciated that the upper pin opening 119 and pinhole 103 may be laterally misaligned in FIG. 10B. In the embodiment ofFIG. 10B, the pin 142 travels downward into the drawbar cavity 104enough to come to rest on the drawbar 101. Because the pin hole 103 ofthe drawbar 101 is misaligned with the upper pin opening 119, the pin142 does not fall to its extended position. Even in the intermediate andunhitched position of FIG. 10B, the first finger 176 of the latch 174may remain engaged within the rear side aperture 150 of the pin 142.Accordingly, should the user decide to withdraw the drawbar 101 from thecavity 104 as shown in FIG. 100, the biasing member 141 may bias theactuator member 130 toward the neutral position, allowing the latch 174to rotate back toward the first position, returning the pin 142 to itsretracted and unhitched position (FIG. 10A). In additional embodiments,the pin 142 may move from the position of FIG. 10A to an intermediateand unhitched position (e.g., with the drawbar 101 advanced further intothe cavity 104 than shown in FIG. 10B), and the first finger 176 of thelatch 174 may disengage from the pin 142 and may be removed from therear side aperture 150; however, the first finger 176 may remain withina rotational path for re-engaging the pin 142 upon withdrawal of thedrawbar 101.

FIGS. 11A-11C represent an unhitching operation. As shown in FIG. 11A,the drawbar 101 retains the actuator member 130 in its actuatedposition. Thus, the pin 142 may be pulled manually from the receivertube 120 as shown. Then, the pin rest 184 may be flipped over and movedfrom its first position to its second position, thereby moving thefinger 191 of the pin rest 184 into the pin tube slot 123 of the pinreceiver tube 120. The pin 142 may be re-inserted and supported on thefinger 191 of the pin rest 184. The ends 169 of the handle 190 may besupported on the top wall 112 such that the pin rest 184 may support theweight of the pin 142. Also, the tapered portions 152 of the rear sideaperture 150 (FIG. 6) may abut against the finger 191 to thereby rotatethe pin 142 about its longitudinal axis relative to the pin receivertube 120 such that the finger 191 is received within the axial portion154 of the rear side aperture 150.

Next, as shown in FIG. 11B, the drawbar 101 may be withdrawn. Thisallows the actuator member 130 to bias forward toward its neutralposition.

Eventually, biased movement of the actuator member 130 allows thebiasing member 192 to bias the latch 174 toward its first position asshown in FIG. 11C. This biased rotation of the latch 174 causes thefinger 176 to enter the rear side aperture 150 (FIG. 6) of the pin 142.In the embodiment shown, the biasing force provided by the biasingmember 192 rotates the latch 174 and coincidentally causes the pin rest184 to flip back toward its first position. Accordingly, the hitch mountassembly 100 is automatically re-positioned and ready to re-hitch to thedrawbar 101.

It will be appreciated that the hitch mount assembly 100 may providevaluable conveniences for the user. For example, the hitch mountassembly 100 allows the pin 142 to automatically drop from theunhitched, retracted position to its hitched, extended position whenhitching the vehicles 20, 22 together (FIGS. 9A-9C). Thus, hitching canbe achieved quickly and conveniently. Also, the hitch mount assembly 100may include the alignment members 156, 156′ for aligning the drawbar 101and the hitch mount assembly 100 as discussed above. Thus, in someembodiments, hitching may be achieved by an individual user (e.g., adriver of the towed vehicle 20).

Also, if the drawbar 101 and hitch mount assembly 100 are misalignedduring the hitching operation (FIGS. 10A-10C), the towing vehicle 20 maybe driven off to withdraw the drawbar 101, and the pin 142 will returnto its retracted position, ready for another hitching attempt. Thus, ifthere is a single user, there is no need for the user to leave theoperator cabin of the towing vehicle 20 to reset the pin 142 for eachhitching attempt.

Furthermore, when unhitching (FIGS. 11A-11C) the pin 142 may be removedand temporarily supported on the pin rest 184. Next, the operator of thetowing vehicle 20 may withdraw the drawbar 101, and the latch 174automatically returns the pin 142 to its retracted position, ready forre-hitching. Again, if there is a single user, there is no need for theuser to leave the operator cabin to re-set the pin 142.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. Explicitly referenced embodiments herein were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure andtheir practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the disclosure and recognize many alternatives,modifications, and variations on the described example(s). Accordingly,various embodiments and implementations other than those explicitlydescribed are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pin-drop hitch mount assembly comprising: adrawbar receiver defining a drawbar cavity that extends along an axis,the drawbar cavity configured to receive a drawbar that advancesgenerally along the axis; a pin receiver that is supported by thedrawbar receiver, the pin receiver defining a pin opening that is opento the drawbar cavity; a pin that is received within the pin opening ofthe pin receiver, the pin configured for movement between a retractedposition and an extended position, the pin configured to attach thedrawbar to the drawbar receiver when in the extended position, and thedrawbar receiver being detached from the drawbar when the pin is in theretracted position; a latch that is supported for movement between afirst position and a second position relative to the drawbar receiver,the latch, in the first position, being configured to engage the pin andretain the pin in the retracted position, the latch, in the secondposition, being configured to disengage the pin and release the pin formovement of the pin from the retracted position to the extendedposition; a biasing member configured to bias the latch toward the firstposition to retain the pin in the retracted position; and an actuatormember supported by the drawbar receiver for movement between a neutralposition and a displaced position, the actuator member configured to beactuated from the neutral position to the displaced position by thedrawbar that advances generally along the axis of the drawbar cavity tothereby move the latch from the first position to the second position.2. The pin-drop hitch mount assembly of claim 1, wherein the latchincludes a first projection and a second projection; wherein the firstprojection is configured to engage the pin when the latch is in thefirst position; and wherein the second projection is configured toengage the actuator member.
 3. The pin-drop hitch mount assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the pin includes an aperture configured to receive thefirst projection of the latch; wherein the aperture includes an axialportion and a tapered portion, the axial portion being substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the pin, the tapered portion beingtapered with respect to the longitudinal axis; and wherein the taperedportion is configured to abut the first projection and rotate the pinfor receipt of the first projection into the axial portion.
 4. Thepin-drop hitch mount of claim 1, wherein the pin receiver includes anedge configured to limit biased movement of the latch away from thesecond position and toward the first position.
 5. The pin-drop hitchmount assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch is configured to rotateabout a rotational axis as the latch moves between the first positionand the second position.
 6. The pin-drop hitch mount assembly of claim5, wherein the actuator member is supported for linear movement alongthe axis between the neutral position and the displaced position.
 7. Thepin-drop hitch mount of claim 1, wherein the actuator member includes alatch engagement aperture that is at least partially defined by an edge;wherein the latch includes a projection; and wherein the edge isconfigured to abut the projection to rotate the latch between the firstposition and the second position.
 8. The pin-drop hitch mount of claim7, wherein the projection includes a notch; and wherein the notchreceives the edge.
 9. The pin-drop hitch mount of claim 7, furthercomprising a slot that is defined in the drawbar receiver, theprojection being received in the slot and the latch engagement aperture.10. The pin-drop hitch mount of claim 9, wherein the slot is defined inthe drawbar receiver and the pin receiver; wherein the projection is asecond projection; and wherein the latch includes a first projectionthat is received within the pin opening via the slot to engage the pinin the retracted position.
 11. The pin-drop hitch mount of claim 1,wherein the biasing member is a first biasing member; and furthercomprising a second biasing member configured to bias the actuatormember toward the neutral position.
 12. The pin-drop hitch mount ofclaim 11, wherein the second biasing member is a spring that is attachedto the actuator member and the drawbar receiver.
 13. The pin-drop hitchmount of claim 1, wherein the drawbar receiver includes a top wall, abottom wall, and opposing side walls that extend between the top walland the bottom wall; wherein the pin receiver extends from the top wall;and wherein the bottom wall includes a pin opening configured to receivethe pin when the pin is in the extended position.
 14. The pin-drop hitchmount of claim 1, further comprising a view window extending through awall on a top side of the drawbar receiver; and wherein the view windowis configured for viewing movement of the drawbar within the drawbarcavity relative to the drawbar receiver.
 15. A method of operating apin-drop hitch mount assembly comprising: retaining a pin of the hitchmount assembly in a retracted position with a latch, the pin beingretained in a pin receiver that is supported by a drawbar receiver;biasing the latch toward the first position with a biasing member toretain the pin in the retracted position; advancing a drawbar along alongitudinal axis of a drawbar cavity of the drawbar receiver; movingthe latch from a first position to a second position as a consequence ofadvancing the drawbar, the latch, in the first position, retaining thepin in the pin receiver, the latch, in the second position, releasingthe pin for movement toward an extended position to attach the drawbarto the drawbar receiver; and wherein advancing the drawbar includesabutting and actuating an actuator member that is supported by thedrawbar receiver from a neutral position to a displaced position. 16.The method of claim 15, further comprising engaging a first projectionof the latch with the pin when the latch is in the first position;further comprising disengaging the first projection from the pin whenthe latch is moving from the first position toward the second position;and further comprising engaging a second projection of the latch withthe actuator member for moving the actuator from the neutral positiontoward the displaced position.
 17. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising rotating the latch about a rotational axis as the latch movesbetween the first position and the second position.
 18. A pin-drop hitchmount assembly comprising: a drawbar receiver that is hollow andtubular, the drawbar receiver defining a drawbar cavity that extendslinearly along an axis, the drawbar cavity configured to receive adrawbar that advances generally along the axis; a pin receiver tube thatis fixed to the drawbar receiver, the pin receiver defining a pinopening that is open to the drawbar cavity; a slot that is defined inthe drawbar receiver and the pin receiver tube; a pin that is receivedwithin the pin opening of the pin receiver, the pin configured formovement between a retracted position and an extended position, the pinconfigured to attach the drawbar to the drawbar receiver when in theextended position, the drawbar receiver being detached from the drawbarwhen the pin is in the retracted position, the pin including anaperture; a latch that is supported for rotational movement between afirst position and a second position relative to the drawbar receiver,the latch including a first projection and a second projection thatproject radially from an axis of rotation of the latch and that arereceived in the slot, the first projection, in the first position,received in the aperture to engage and retain the pin in the retractedposition, the first projection, in the second position, being disposedoutside the aperture to disengage and release the pin for movement ofthe pin from the retracted position to the extended position; anactuator member disposed within the drawbar receiver and supported forlinear movement along the axis between a neutral position and adisplaced position, the actuator member configured to be actuated fromthe neutral position to the displaced position by the drawbar thatadvances generally along the axis of the drawbar cavity, the actuatormember including an edge configured to engage the second projection ofthe latch to thereby move the latch from the first position to thesecond position; a first biasing member configured to bias the latchtoward the first position; and a second biasing member configured tobias the actuator member toward the neutral position.